---
title: "Free Small Business Budget Template (Excel) | MCC Solutions"
description: "A free small business budget template for Excel and Google Sheets. Plan income and expenses by category, type actuals each month and see budget against actual."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/templates/small-business-budget-template"
---

Free template

# Free small business budget template

Set a monthly budget for each category, type what actually happened, and see each month and the year against the plan.

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Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software)

[Download the Excel file](/downloads/templates/small-business-budget-template.xlsx)Free. No sign-up. Excel file (.xlsx), 13 KB. Works in Google Sheets too.

## What is inside

- **Budget tab** Up to 20 categories, each marked income or expense, with a monthly amount.
- **Actuals tab** What actually came in and went out, by category and month.
- **Summary tab** Budget against actual for income, expenses and net, by month and for the year so far.

## How to use it

- List your categories on the Budget tab and give each a monthly amount.
- Replace the example January on the Actuals tab with your own numbers.
- At each month end, type that month's actuals.
- Open the Summary tab to see where you are ahead of or behind the plan.

## Using it in Google Sheets

- Open Google Sheets and choose File, then Import, then Upload, and pick the downloaded file.
- Choose "Replace spreadsheet" or "Insert new sheet(s)".
- Check the formulas and the dropdown lists after the import. Most carry over, but Google Sheets handles a few functions and formats differently.

## Things to watch

- **Budget from history.** Start from what the last few months actually were, then adjust. A budget built on hope is missed every month.
- **Empty months don't count against you.** The year-so-far line only counts months with actuals, so a month you have not entered never looks like a miss.
- **Same categories on both tabs.** Actuals follow the Budget list, so rename categories in one place.
- **It plans, it does not predict cash.** A budget shows profit against plan. For when cash comes and goes, use a cash flow forecast.

## Questions

**How is a budget different from a profit and loss?**

A profit and loss shows what happened. A budget is the plan you compare it with.

**Can I add categories?**

Yes, up to 20 on the Budget tab. They appear on the Actuals tab automatically.

**Can I use it in Google Sheets?**

Yes. Upload the file to Google Sheets and check the totals after the import.

**How often should I update it?**

Once a month, after you close the month's books, is enough for most small businesses.

Want a fuller version with worked examples? See [13-Week Cash Flow Forecast](/toolkits/cash-flow-forecast-13-week) in the store. This free template stays free either way.

Want more than a template? See [Budget vs Actual Workbook](/toolkits/budget-vs-actual-workbook).

Want every toolkit? The [toolkit membership](/membership) includes all of them, with a lower rate if you pay yearly.

Related: [Free profit and loss template](/bookkeeping/templates/profit-and-loss-template), [Free income and expense tracker](/bookkeeping/templates/income-and-expense-tracker), [Break-even calculator](/bookkeeping/break-even-calculator), [Bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check), or [all free templates](/bookkeeping/templates).

These templates track your own numbers. They are not tax, legal or accounting advice, and MCC Solutions is not a CPA firm. Ask your CPA how rules apply to you.

Tallyfinch

### Books you keep on your own computer

Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries.

[See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software)

## Want the books handled for you?

[See bookkeeping](/bookkeeping/)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)